Oasis Children's Services Year Round Staff
Bernie Tessler: CEOA teacher and psychologist turned entrepreneur and executive, Bernie Tessler has over 25 years of leadership experience with companies that provide services to children and families. Immediately prior to joining Oasis, Bernie was a founding partner of Epic Partners, a consulting/banking firm that focuses exclusively on helping companies in the education and training industry. He served as the acting CEO of Saint Eustatius School of Medicine, a fully accredited medical school. He joined Epic after serving as the Chief Operating Officer for Liberty Travel, the largest travel agency in the country with more than 200 locations nationwide. more
Jeffrey Horne: CFO / Executive Vice President
Jeff began his career with Oasis in May 2005. Jeff's previous experience includes roles as Financial Controller at David Zwirner, an international art gallery based in Manhattan, and as Executive Director of Spring Theatreworks , a non-profit theater production company based in Brooklyn he established in 2000. Jeff graduated with a Bachelor's degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where he returns often to visit his family. In his free time he can be found traveling the world, watching theater, or roaming museums and galleries. Jeff also serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of a non-profit theater company, Oslo Elsewhere, which produces off-Broadway productions in New York City.
Lucie Davis: Director of Funded Enrollment
Before joining Oasis as a full time employee in 2008, Lucie was both an Elementary and Junior High School Teacher, spending her summers as an Oasis staff member since 2003. Lucie earned her BA in Political Science and MS in Education, and enjoys reading books on American History. In her free time she can be found cooking or belting out tunes.
Mateo De La Rosa: SES Coordinator- Manhattan Enrollment
Mateo joined Oasis Children Services in March of 2009, with an extensive background in Student Development as he has served many years in the field of higher education. Mateo earned his MS Degree in College Student Development from Long Island University and received his BA in American Music Dance and Theater. In addition to his summer role of Operations Director, he serves as our SES Enrollment Coordinator during the fall and spring. In his spare time, you can find Mateo at the gym, playing volleyball or walking a fashion runway somewhere in Miami or New York City.
Noel Delgado: Director of Training and Staff Development
Noel has worked with Oasis since its inaugural summer 2001 when he was a Division Leader at PS 55 in Brownsville, Brooklyn. He has directed of both afterschool and summer programs at Oasis, most recently at PS 298 during the summer of 2009. Noel has a long history of leadership in community-based organizations since his teenage years as a youth worker at the Center For Family Life in Sunset Park. He worked for Good Shepherd Services as their Beacon Director of PS 15 from 2004 - 2007. Noel returned to Oasis in 2008 as the Director of Training and Staff Development. Noel's other interests include art which he studied for two years at Kingsborough Community College. When he is not working he can be found running at the park, spending time volunteering in the community traveling across the country, visiting museums, or sitting down with family and friends to laugh and share stories.
Karen Dette: Director of Programming and Professional Development
Karen has worked seasonally with Oasis since its inception, teaching the Group Leadership and Youth Programming courses, as well as serving as the Regional Director in Brooklyn before joining Oasis full time in January of 2009. Karen graduated from the Hunter College School of Social Work with an MSW and has worked in education and/or community based programs all of her professional life. Karen has also worked as an adjunct professor at New York City Technical College and New York University, teaching writing. In her free time you can find Karen renovating furniture, creating stained glass pieces, biking to the beach, traveling the world, or utilizing her Spanish speaking skills.
Laura A. Greene: Human Resources Manager
Laura's career with Oasis began in June 2001 beginning as a Group Leader in Brownsville, Brooklyn and serving in roles as a Division Leader, Operations Director, and has spent the last 2 years as the Site Director for Oasis in Canarsie. Laura and the HR Department team take great pride in the hard work they do, ensuring that each site is provided with fantastic staff that can exhibit what Oasis truly is.
Laura received her B.A. in Sociology and Child and Family Studies from Stony Brook University and an M.A. in Urban Studies from Queens College. In her free time she can be found spending time with my family and friends and taking a little time to pamper herself.
Jessica Humes: Operations Manager- Funded Programs
Jessica joined Oasis in 2008 with extensive experience in the camp world and child development including programming and site director roles with the YMCA, working with special needs children, and an After School Program Director. She spent time recruiting and developing staff in our Human Resources Department before adding her skills to the Oasis Operations team. Jessica is a native New Yorker with a BA in Psychology from SUNY New Paltz, and is working on her MA in School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling at CW Post. Jessica enjoys outdoor recreational activities, spending time with friends and family, and loves holiday music and movies.
Michael Lozado: Director of Information Technology
Mike began his career with Oasis in 2008 with an extensive background in computer information systems and web development. Mike has played a key role in developing our information technology and our online databases. Mike also is a well-known DJ in the tri-state area. in his free time, you can find him travelling, producing music, and reading.
Andrae Mitchell: HR Recruitment Coordinator
Andrae began his career with Oasis in June 2006 after serving as a Camp Coordinator for Chelsea Piers Summer Camps and working with The Fresh Air Fund. Andrae recently received his Masters in Education from Howard University. In his free time you can find him snowboarding, going to the theater or movies, reading and traveling.
Melanie Salvaggio: Director of Enrollment
Melanie started at Oasis in the summer of 2004 with previous experience as a middle school English teacher and as a dental assistant. Melanie originally served as our Office Manager before moving on to her role as Director of Enrollment. Melanie has spent her summers as the Operations Director at Oasis in Madison at Drew University. Melanie earned her B.S. in Criminology and has nearly completed her Masters Degree in Education. In her free time she can be found spending time with her family and close friends, exploring new music, and trying new recipes.
Sandy Persaud: Human Resources Administrator
Sandy has worked with Oasis for 5 years, serving as the Operations Director of the Oasis at Cantiague Park and Oasis in Bayside summer camps. A graduate of SUNY Binghamton and a true camper at heart, Sandy previously attended and worked at a community-based camp for over ten years before joining the Oasis team as a seasonal employee in 2005 and a full-time employee in 2008. Her favorite camp activities are all-camp games, Theme Days, awarding the Spirit Stick at Morning Rally, and Olympics week. In her free time, Sandy enjoys doing crossword puzzles, going to sporting events, and watching old movies.
Elizabeth (Lisa) Recio: Supplemental Education Services Coordinator- Bronx and Queens Enrollment
Lisa began her career with Oasis in 2000 and has served in a variety of roles ranging from Division Leader, After School Program Director, and Senior Program Director before moving on to her current role as and SES Coordinator with a focus on Bronx and Queens Enrollment. Lisa brings with her an extensive background in innovative programming and site supervision. In her free time you can find Lisa playing football and spending time with friends and family.
Treene Roth: Director of Administrative Systems
Treene has been with Oasis since 2001, bringing with her an extensive background in Business Management, Public Relations, and years of experience working with a variety of children's organizations. Treene utilizes her Business Degree and experience to keep Oasis running like a well oiled machine. In her free time she can be found baking, crocheting, expanding her artistic skills, and experiencing new cuisine.
Kate Sullivan: Executive Director of Supplemental Education Services
Kate was named Vice President of Business Development for Oasis Children's Services in October 2008 before moving on to her role as Executive Director of SES. Prior to her appointment at Oasis, Kate served as Executive Director of Trail Blazers Camps, Inc a unique summer learning program focusing on residential, experiential education for low-income youth. During her tenure, Trail Blazers won the Johns Hopkin's Excellence in Summer Learning Award in 2006. Kate is also a former head of the English Department at Saint Joseph High School in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from England, Kate attended Surrey University where she studied Theatre Arts. Kate is an avid runner and recently completed her first marathon.
Robert Thomas: Controller
Robert joined Oasis in 2007 after serving as the Administrative Director of Executive Education of the School of Management at Binghamton University. Robert received his BS in Bioengineering and his MBA in Operations Management at Binghamton University. In his free time he can be found golfing, bowling, playing poker or watching his favorite teams- the Indianapolis Colts and Syracuse Orange.
Barry Sims: Executive Director New Orleans Funded Programs
Barry started with Oasis in 2003 and has served in several roles including director of Oasis after-school, summer, and travel programs in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island, and most recently directing Oasis at Nickerson Beach summers 2007-2009. Barry has served as Director of both Curriculum and Business Development for Oasis and in the fall of 2009 relocated to Louisiana in an effort to bring Oasis programs to the youth of New Orleans. Barry received a BA in English from the University of Michigan and has spent the last 13 years serving the youth of Detroit, San Diego, Fresno, New York, and now New Orleans. In his free time he can be found playing football and hockey, hiking/camping, surfing, gator wrastlin', and tailgating.